JAVS Spring 2001

29

T HE BASICS Rf.VlSITED: ARTISTlC D ISTINCTION

G. Fingers are sensors. They are a primary source of information. Left Hand· It is critical that one avoid squeezing between the fingers wd the thumb. Have a partner try to move your thumb while playing the following musical example. Does it move easily? Try the following exercise: • Sirens- Choose a finger wd slide slowly wd smoothly from first posicion to somewhere beyond seventh posicion wd back, first with thumb inside the palm wd then with thumb brushing the side of the neck lightly wd following the hwd around up high. • The thumb must rebalwce in position from first to fourth fingers, especially if the hwd is small or the fourth finger short. Right Hand· • Fingers pull the bow toward the bridge, promoting clearer wd deeper tone production. • Allow the hwd to rebalance around the thumb. • Make sure the thumb is rounded wd especially loose in the lower half, even to the point of being able to rake ir off the bow.

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Part II ofMs. Castleman's "The Basics Revisited· Artistic Distinctions" will be featured in the next issue of]AVS. "Flexibility ofVibrato: ControlLing Width and Speed" will be the featured topic. 18

VIOL A KEEP LEFT

- submitted by Andrew Levin